INSTANT REFRESHERS

Instant refreshers Cocktails and friends are a great combination for beating the cold Contemplated hot cider: Serves 6 Ingredients: Apple cider 8 cups Brown sugar + a cup Jaiphal or nutmeg + tsp Sticks of cinnamon (dalchine) - 6 inches sticks Allspice- I tsp (optional) Cloves (laung) -1 tsp Thin slices of apple (cross-sectional, circular) 8 Method: Mix apple cider, jaiphal, laung powder and brown sugar in a large heavy bottomed saucepan. If you are using allspice, then tie it up with cinnamon in a muslin bag and toss it into the saucepan. Bring the mixture to boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes after covering the content of the pan. For garnishing, use the apple slices. If you wish, you can also insert a clove at the center of the slices. Glogg: Serves 12 Ingredients: Red wine 2 bottles Vodka 2 bottles Green cardamoms 20 Cloves (laung) 10 Cinnamon (dalchine) sticks of one inch 4 Blanched almonds 1 + cups Raisins (kishmish) 1 + cups Sugar lumps 450g Method: Pour the red wine as well as the vodka into a large sized cooking pot. To the mixture add the spices and heat until the content reaches its boiling point. Then add the lumps of sugar and let them melt in the heat. Remove the pot from the source of heat. Put almonds as well as raisins into the cups in which you intend to serve the mulled wine (glogg). Pour the drink over the raisins and the almonds. (You may choose to soak the almonds and the raisins overnight in a little rum or brandy. Toddy: Serves 1 Ingredients: Brandy 30ml Honey 1 tbsp Lemon juice 1 tbsp Water 1 cup Tea bag 1 Method: Boil water. Soak the tea bag into the boiled water and allow the tea to infuse into the water. Do not leave the tea bag in the water for long. Next layer the mug, in which you will serve the drink, with honey and pour brandy as well as lemon juice into it. Follow this by finally pouring the tea into the cups. Mulled wine: Serves 6 Ingredients: Water 2 cups Sugar + a cup Cloves (laung) 12 Cinnamon (dalchine) sticks of 1 inch - 2 Nutmeg + tsp Ginger powder (saunth) + tsp Lemon peels Red wine 750ml Brandy - + cup Wedges of lemon Method: Take water in a pan and start heating. Next, add sugar followed by spice and peel of lemon. Just before the content starts boiling lower the flame and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the wine and heat the mixture until it approaches its boiling point. Next pour some brandy and serve the drink in glasses after garnishing with wedges of lemon. Hot buttered rum: Serves 1 Ingredients: Dark rum 45ml Brown sugar - 1 tsp Butter - 1 tsp Hot water Grated nutmeg 1 pinch Method: Mix rum, butter and sugar in the mug in which you will serve the cocktail. Over it pour hot steaming water. Sprinkle a little nutmeg over it. Serve hot.